New Magnet Program May Attract Students

Seminole education

Engineering Curriculum Comes To Lyman

Lyman High School is hosting a parent night Thursday to spread the word about its new magnet program, the Institute for Engineering and Technology.

The program, which Lyman officials and parents hope will boost the school's enrollment and image, will accept 100 incoming ninth-graders from across Seminole County for the 2000-01 year. The deadline to apply is Jan. 28.

Parents of eighth-graders are invited to attend the meeting to learn more about Lyman and the magnet program, said Joan Shalls, the institute's counselor.

The 6:30 p.m. meeting will be in the school auditorium at 865 S. County Road 427, Longwood.

The Institute for Engineering and Technology will offer four specialization areas - architectural technology, communications technology, electrical engineering and network engineering. Within one of those four areas, students will select a narrower focus of study.

For example, electrical engineering students will study advanced electronics or computer electronics, while network engineering students will study computer programming or network construction and management. Options under architectural technology are architectural design and drafting, interior design, construction management and technology or landscape technologies. Choices under communications technology are TV animation/production, computer animation and graphics or graphic communications.

As freshmen, students will take an exploratory course that will cover the four areas of specialization and help them decide what to study. The institute will prepare students for jobs right of out high school or for college study in the engineering and technology fields, Shalls said.

Parent Debbie Cangiolosi, vice president of Lyman's school advisory council, said the magnet program should improve the school's image and reputation.

``I think it's great for a lot of kids who already have a feel early on what they want to do with their life,'' she said.

``We think it's going to be a very exciting program for us,'' Principal Sam Momary said.

Lyman's student population has dropped by about 400 students the past few years, he said, in large part because of zoning changes for the district's newest high school, Winter Springs High. Lyman is built for 2,500 students but has just under 2,100, Momary said.

Plans call for adding about 100 freshmen to the institute every year, Shalls said.

Also, Lyman is in the first phase of a $22.5 million renovation, which will include new labs for the institute. Computer network management, electronics and architectural and drafting labs will be ready in the fall, Momary said.

Applicants should enjoy computers and like to work in creative areas, Shalls said. There is no grade-point average requirement to enroll. Once admitted, one requirement is that each student must keep a minimum 2.75 GPA with all grades in the range of C or higher. Bus transportation will be provided for students who live more than two miles from Lyman.